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Podcast: Legend of Korra Book 3 Plot & “Many Villains” Discussion

Earlier in the week, Korra fans were notified that Book 3 would contain “many villains.”

From what I’ve seen so far, the fandom seem to be divided in deciding whether or not “many villains” is a good thing. It could go either way – in all honesty – and its contingent on how the writers approach this scenario.

Will they focus their efforts on character development (like they should), or will they throw a bunch of flatly-developed characters on screen with the hope that no one will notice? One can only hope that the writers go with the initial, but until Book 3 premieres, we as fans can only speculate.

If you want my honest opinion, I think this could spell disaster for Book 3. I hope I’m wrong, but the writers haven’t exactly highlighted their ability to write well-developed characters. Why should that change now that there are even more characters to work with? Again – I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve seen very little to convince me otherwise.

If you hate me for saying that, sorry – maybe you’ll like Cast Bender’s opinion better? Join Tyrell Lisson and Teagan Chevrier (A.J. was too sick to join in this week) as the duo discuss whether or not “many villains” will be a good thing for Book 3. Don’t forget to leave your feedback for the show.

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Its too soon to decide anything. We got an out of context quote that cannot determine how good or bad book 3 will be. Its not ideal to jump to conclusions at this point whatsoever. And their ability to develop characters may not have boded well with Unalaq, but Korra’s character development was fantastic in book 2. I prefer the main character to have an arc rather than the villains (which was the case in book 1).

Link9150

Long time no see, Mitch. Where have you been?

Cast Bender Podcast

Understood, we mentioned that the comments could not be valid. It was just more of discussion if his comments hold weight what it could spell for next season. Also, I agree with you Mitch. However, we the character development of Korra didn’t really pick up until the half way point so we aren’t quite sold yet.

Sibis

Even with Korra’s amount of development, Book 2 leaves it where she’s the world’s strongest emotional teenager bender, who is “biting off more than she can chew”.

Which isn’t the first time she’s approached things overconfidently.

http://avatarthelegendofkorraonline.com/ Keval

The writers have failed to develop Asami, Mako and Bolin thus far and they make up 75% of team Avatar. While I agree that my statement may have been premature, it is justifiable.

Sibis

They should do more than have the villain go for a power grab which Amon and Unalaq did in their own way.

Book 3 seems like it has the basis to spawn more Jet and Hiroshi Sato like opposition. Especially the Earth Kingdom since it had issues with Fire Nation invasion and colonization.

Cast Bender Podcast

Agreed! We really enjoyed you comments from last week, mind asking how you say you name for further episodes?

Sibis

I pronounce it as like “si”-“biss” The (si) as in saying “sid” minus the d. With (bis) sounding like “biss”

Cast Bender Podcast

Thank you very much!

Loklover

I think this is a new book 3 picture

Ariana Moreno

yeah i saw that toooo!!!! make me even more excited for book 3!!!!! hahaha those faces are classic XD

Loklover

Lol I know! 8 more days!

Legama

This has to become a meme!!!

Ariana Moreno

that would be hilarious actually XD

Link9150

Looks like this season will also be very comedy-focused…

Ariana Moreno

uh oh, is this another sign of your pessimism? XD

Link9150

Yeah since it isn’t the best approach to take. Not saying Book 3 is ruined, I’m still very excited. I’m just hoping the season doesn’t go stale because Bryke are trying to make us laugh.

Ariana Moreno

yeah, lets just really hope that everything is balanced in book 3….gosh i hope they watch what they’re doing XD i mean, this pic makes me curious, and dying to see what’s gonna happen, but lets hope they balance it all

Loklover

Yeah Bolin tried to hard to be funny last season. It got annoying at times

Link9150

I put the blame on Bryke for this one. They had way too many comedic characters in a so-called “dark season”. Bumi, Bolin Varrick, Kya, Eska, Desna and Meelo were all comeic reliefs… Ruined a big chunk for me.

Ariana Moreno

should we consider the fact that team avatar is together in this a clue that maybe there will be less separation in the season?

Link9150

Sure. We could. Nice observation.

Link9150

They couldn’t even keep Unalaq’s death serious…

Loklover

Hahahahaha I know! He died yelling nooooooo!!!! Lol lame

Link9150

Not only that, but when his children learn about his death, they went” Oh you thought we cared. Lol, jk. No. GG Korra” … Seriously? They can keep tedious romance serious but not the main plot?

Ariana Moreno

unalaq was just that crappy of a character and villain. even his own kids didnt give a shit XD

Link9150

True. But for the writers not even caring about him… That’s just lame. What creator makes a villain they don’t even themselves care about.

Ariana Moreno

signs of rushing and no thought/effort into the season :/

Loklover

Hey.. just because we see ONE funny picture of them doesn’t make the season “comedy focused.”

Ariana Moreno

i agree, but we also saw Bolin and Mako too….i just hope it’s balanced. lets say that O.o

Loklover

I wouldn’t say that the undies pic was funny. Well.. It was a lil but their expressions were serious

Link9150

It was for comedic purposes.

Link9150

Well, Bolin and the nightmares, Mako and Bolin and underpants.

Erin

Well he can only release pics
That won’t reveal anything ands those weren’t necessarily funny what about the jinora pic or the one where Mako and bolin r fighting

Link9150

Mako and Bolin fighting in underpants was for comedic purposes. As for Jinora, it was serious sure. But, since they pretty much jacked Book 2 with so much comedy and ruined serious moments and subplots, I get very wary about it now.

Erin

I do agree with the whole pessimist attitude it’s better to be skeptical and not expect.much then be amazed when it premieres its better than expecting a ton and being disappointed

Link9150

It’s just to be better off safe than sorry. I really hope the creators prove my pessimism wrong and blow me out with an amazing season, but I simply prefer to stay low and let them amaze me rather than amazing myself with speculation. Get what I mean?

Erin

Exactly! That’s what I try to do but instead to keep myself from expecting too much I just try not to over think what’s season will be like will it be amazing or horrible I don’t know but I try to keep my expectations low it’s hard though with all this info coming out

Link9150

Yeah I hear ya. That Jinora meditating pic got me kind of hyped up.

Loklover

Of course it got you hyped up!! It’s Jinora!! She’s awesome hahaha

Erin

I know I’m contradicting myself but I havea feeling this season will be good. Not amazing, that’s too optimistic but even with what we know now it’s looking pretty darn good. The writers have learned a few things from the last few seasons
-no teen romance crap
-no new animation studios
-more character development( they did say it would be more.like Alta and the first season of lok)
-more dynamic villains amon was amazing unalaqy and vaatu not so much
They’d have to try really hardto completely screw this season up.

Ariana Moreno

are you sure about the villains part? that’s what i’m worried about the most if anything…it’s good to be optimistic and pessimistic to a certain point i guess, but we never do know at the same time until we see everything

Erin

Well sofar the villain seems to be the earth queen. Why would the earth queen be a villain? Cuz Korra opened the portals without asking anyone is it ok to unleash spirits on the whole world that’s why good villains are ones that have good reasons for what they’re doing and are understandable

Link9150

There’s nothing wrong with being optimistic. It’s not expecting a masterpiece like ATLA that’s the solution. After ranting about Book 2 for months I’ve learned to accept that Bryke aren’t doing LOK for themselves but for the fans, unlike ATLA where they tried to please themselves first which resulted in an amazing series. LOK in its entirety is fanservice so I’m not expecting “great” or “awesome” anymore, just “decent” or “good”.

Ariana Moreno

hey link i’m curious, lets just say book 3 turns to complete horse shit, are you gonna continue to watch book 4 after that? or no

Sibis

That’s not much up for debate since there are so few animated shows that are watchable. Especially the stuff Nick has been getting, ducks and bread. Really?

Ariana Moreno

yeah i’d still continue to watch korra to the end. seriously, korra beats any show on nick nowadays O.o

Link9150

In terms of “animated shows” I completely agree. The Legend of Korra wins by a longshot.

Legama

I would, whatever is Avatar bullshit is GOLD compared with the rest of the tv series out there.

Ariana Moreno

yeah i’m sticking with it too. the other shows on nick suck. they aren’t like the old days…

Eliminator

I agree, no surprise, that people start to make a petition for a classic nickelodeon channel streaming “traditional kids shows of the 90s/early 2000s” with all the sh*t on Nick currently…

Link9150

Depends. If it turns out as horrible as Book 2 probably.

Ariana Moreno

alraht XD

Eliminator

I don’t care, whether you reply or not, but even book 2 is GOLD compared to some stupid shows like Sam and Cat or something like that.

Ariana Moreno

agreed Eliminator. NO show on nick compares to Korra, and this means Korra in general XD

Matt Brown

Not trying to argue with you but I disagree. If you were sleeping in your pj’s and someone was trying to intrude your house in the middle of the night. I know if I were in that kind of situation, I wouldn’t be too concerned with what ik wearing, nor would I have the time

i also think the problem is Bolin can’t take things seriously ever when they need to be, and his face expressions give me the impression that that also makes fans feel like what should be taken seriously by the audience, isn’t because the characters like Bolin don’t….

Matt Brown

I think that the nightmares are a device that Bryke and the writers are using to tie in with Book 3’s plot and bring on some character development from Bolin

Link9150

Let’s hope it works. Bolin has never been serious and is nothing but a joke so far.

Legama

I wonder, what the hell are they looking at. Looks like if they were watching 2 girls and one cup ¬¬

Ariana Moreno

my question as well XD

Loklover

XD maybe they saw Tenzin shirtless lol

Link9150

Haha. Well said!

Legama

Seems more like naked Tenzin.

Ariana Moreno

geez O.9 haha XD

Loklover

If I saw naked Tenzin I would throw myself in a ditch hahaha

Legama

LOL

Sibis

With actual spooks about, it looks like the Korra gang is going towards Scooby gang territory.

Ariana Moreno

very good observations XD

Sibis

They are watching the most honest well rounded friendship between a group of 4.

The kind of mushiness that would make them feel sick or embarrass watching it. In Mako’s case, he thinks it’s all fake.

Sibis

Nickelodeon Studios has just green lit Shyamalan’s adaptation of Legend of Korra. “Mako vs. The World”

hahahaha XD geez bro you gave me a heart attack!!!! i really was afraid m night was gonna make a korra movie O.O

Nico

The animation is gorgeous

Link9150

Just realized this is only the second pic we get to see Korra. I’ve always wondered why Korra appeared so little in those pics. Is it done on purpose or just coincidence?

Korra did get a good development during Book 2, does that mean that Bryke will “let the floor” to the other Team Avatar members to develop as well?

Sibis

Wilson: KORRA!
Bolin: The giant plant just fell on top of Mr. Wilson’s house.

Legama

Nice chapter Castbender.
My best recommendation is to keep speculation as that. Let’s see what the Upfront and KCA’s have to offer, sit down, relax and enjoy a great series coming, whether is what we expect or not .
Hey and remember that today March 5th I think the Avatar Comic, The Rift, is going to be released.

Cast Bender Podcast

Thanks Legama! We will do just that. Speculation has its enjoyment, but for now that is all we’ve got. We will be taking a look at The Rift and Upfront. Maybe look back at some Last Airbender topics we’ve been saving!

Legama

Yeah, speculation is completely enjoyable, it makes the wait funny, and interesting. This offseason has been particularly benevolent in that aspect.

razorstar90

I think this is a GREAT idea. In ATLA we had Firelord Ozai but in between we had Zhao, Zuko, Long Fang/Dai Li, Sparky Boom Boom Man, those arrow guys and of course Azula and her crew. This gave Team Avatar the chance to fight different types of bad guys in different plaes. In LOK we”ve had Amon and Unalaq… Not much in between. More villains means more adventure and traveling and I’m all for that

Ariana Moreno

guys guys guys XD bryan has a new caption on his tumblrrrrr!!! haha i wonder what those guys are looking at?!! XD funneh stuff :p

Korra and co. looks upon in shock to the victims of spirit possession which warped their bodies.

In a delivery similar to Kramer from Seinfeld.

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=GqfSub088jE#t=18]Look at it![/url]

Loklover

I have a good feeling that Bryan will be releasing a decent amount of book 3 pics up until Nick Upfront! (:

Sibis

Many villains could at least give each protagonist their own antagonist (of different difficulty/power levels) and development between them. The final battle could include a split up where each showdown one on one in some way, including Asami. The kind of stuff One Piece and Bleach does.

The idea of a villain consortium “any association, partnership, or union” would be the equivalent of an Illuminati or New World Order. Either “a secret group operating from the shadows while manipulating every political leader and large business” or “a group with plans to bring forth a totalitarian one-world government.” It seems possible with either since there are so few governing bodies with lots of power.

Another thing to discuss is humans entering into the Spirit World. When Korra went into the Spirit World, her negativity affected the world and spirits became hostile. Most humans are likely going to carry some form of negativity and are not going to be spiritualists. So it could mean more spirit attacks or a fear that the Spirit World is dangerous.

Both portals are in Water Tribe territory, which gives the NWT and SWT domain claim over the portals. They could be very strict on controlling the people who can enter the portals or may completely deny other nations access to them.

Possibly following in Unalaq and Vaatu footsteps, the Water Tribe may form an alliance with the Spirit World and they have Korra being the daughter of the SWT leader. If both tribes unite together as a whole. It very much looks like the Water Tribe is holding the strongest cards with the most powerful presence in the world.

Sibis

One of the failing points for the villains is to explain, how did they come to their starting point in LOK. Amon also suffered from this. He was decent, but a little more effort could have made him better.

Unalaq as a villian wasn’t done very well. Tonraq was given the time and development while the need to know Unalaq’s past remains a mystery. We don’t even know how Unalaq and Vaatu began their unholy union.

Tonraq development was wasted as it went no where while Unalaq would have been a more fleshed out adversary to Korra.

Which also brings up a Book 3 question of, what happens to the spirits that chose to ally with Unalaq? It’s known that some spirits have a bad history with the Avatar like Wan Shi Tong. Korra did kill Unalaq which might make it harder to make friends with the Unalaq support spirits.

Speaking of Wan Shi Tong, he may continue to play a villain role. The bad history with Aang and now Korra having killed his human friend, would be enough for him to rally spirits against or even challenge Korra.

Loklover

Look at my new edit!!

Sibis

Try it with Bumi from Book 2 in a robe and boxers.

Link9150

Aang and Katara must be proud haha

Ariana Moreno

dat’s why he’s Aang’s favorite X) because he looks the best shirtless haha (the creators thought so XD with the fact that they made scenes with him exposed in it yo )

I agree with one thing you guys said. What makes this show good is the fact that we can discuss its flaws and positives, we don’t just praise it. Good point, that is indeed the mark of a good show.

Sibis

I can say things like.

Water Bender villains have been over played.

Korra can’t beat the main baddie without something happening that trips up the baddie, dues ex machina, or both.The minions will start off strong but gradually lose it by the end until taken down in a comedic fashion. I expect Book 3 will likely do the same.

Link9150

Same. But I guess I have no choice but to give Bryke the benefit of the doubt.

Cast Bender Podcast

Exactly, and if there were no flaws (which is impossible) there would be nothing to say and no one would be here! Discussion is the best part of any fandom!

redspirit

I want to see Iroh pulling some serious blue spirit moves, zuko had to have taught him that it wad seriously my favorite part of his character

Sibis

Coexistence seems to be a bit of a far reach. Equality seems not likely since they exist on different levels and different perceptions.

Both the most dominate beings. If there is no give and take where each side can compromise, then one has to give into the other side.

Spirits are immortal which could mean in a matter of generations, they could rise up to divinity and claim dominance of both worlds. So the way to happiness for people is to honor the spirits and live by their ways. The people become content with this life of devotion.

blood red rose

As for the new picture of team avatar If you in the background it looks like there is possibly a fallen or damaged structure

The fallen structure has some kind of netting to it and there are trees in the background so…

Where could they be?

1. We know it’s not in the NWT or the SWT because team avatar isn’t wearing “cold weather” clothes

2. Based on the background you can see light colored ground I’d say it’s most likely sand so it could either be air temple island, the fire nation or least likely the earth kingdom